Outcomes of Mitral Valve Repair for Chronic Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation

Mitral regurgitation is a frequent complication of ischemic heart disease. A retrospective study was performed on 127 patients with significant ischemic mitral regurgitation (regurgitant jet area > or =6.0 cm2 and/or vena contracta width > or =0.70 cm) who underwent elective mitral valve repair between January 2001 and October 2007. Concomitant myocardial revascularization was carried out in all except one patient, and left ventricular restoration in 8. All patients had ring annuloplasty, with release of posterior mitral leaflet tethering in 21, leaflet resection in 7, chordal transfer in 3, and chordal shortening in 2. There were 4 (3.1%) hospital deaths. Two patients underwent successful mitral valve replacement for repair failure in the immediate postoperative period, and one had an unsuccessful valve replacement at 3 months. During a mean follow-up of 19.65 +/- 13.21 months in 121 patients, 111 had trivial or no residual regurgitation, and 10 had mild regurgitation. Mitral valve repair for chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation is a reproducible technique with satisfactory early and mid-term outcomes and freedom from valve-related complications.